Considering buying a home in Steiner, Lakeway, or Lakewind (Dallas: cul-de-sac, for sale)

[Elizabeth K]

Hello,

We are trying to find out more info on the above areas.

We have found an amazing home at an incredible price in a small gated community called Lakewind which is just outside of Lakeway, across the street from the Hudson Bend Restaurant. We LOVE this home that sits on almost 2 acres of land. There are several things holding us back and I would like your input on this as we have a 13 month old baby boy and will most likely be expanding our family with another child in the next several years.

1. There are no parks in the immediate neighborhood of Lakewind - as they are all Estate homes on large lots (but we know lots of parks are a close drive away). Also - the yard is so huge we could practically build our children their own park back there.

2. The home is on a cul-de-sac and we met 2 lovely families who would be our neighbors - both have children but, older than ours would be - their children range from ages 5 to 8 so I don't know that they would be suitable playmates for our child.

3. We plan on making which ever home we choose our long-term home and although the streets are wide in Lakewind (great for biking and jogging), there are no sidewalks and there is no where located in the gates of the neighborhood where our son would be able to 'walk to' to such as a cafe, or, park to meet friends and exercise a bit of independence when he is in his early teens and beyond.

4. The final concern is Lake Travis Elementary school. I have found that it is a 'recognized school' but not exemplary like the Lakeway or Steiner Elementarys.

Does anyone have any further info on Lake Travis Elementary?

We are also looking at a home in The Hills of Lakeway and Alta Vista - both areas are further from my husbands business which is located on Mopac & Steck, but, he could possibly shoot up Bee Caves to 360 - anyone know what morning and evening traffic is like on Bee Caves?

Also - we want to join a country club, and we were not impressed with what the Lakeway Country club has to offer as far as their limited Kid's Court hours and amenities.

In Lakewind and Steiner we would have an easy commute to the Riverplace Country Club which we really liked.

Finally - ugh! This is SO confusing. The home we are looking at a home in Steiner Ranch which is considerably smaller than our Lakewind home - close to 4000 sq ft, on a small lot, .25 acre that is priced close to our Lakewind home (Lakewind home is almost 5000 sq ft and obviously on a huge lot).

With Lakewind we would also never have to be concerned about having a loud barking dog next door again! - we have an awful neighbor where we are currently living who let's her huge dogs bark up a storm in her yard which backs to our house.

Regarding Steiner - we still really like the home and we know that Steiner is filled with children and this home has a park in walking distance of it, but, we could never build a pool on the lot, or, do the kindof things with the yard that we could with the Lakewind home. Also again - we would be living on top of our neighbors.

But, our son would surely have tons of company right on his street.

Please share your thoughts and comments on our tough decision? Thanks so much!

[Jennibc]

You think .25 acre is a small lot? We would be thrilled to find a house on a lot that big down here in SW Austin. Cannot really comment or offer advice on your predicament, sorry.

[texastrigirl]

Cannot comment either other than to say living in Circle C for the first 7 and 4 years of my son's lives was a lifesaver for me on so many levels. Having little ones can be isolating on some levels and it helped all of us to be in close proximity to others in our situation. We had so many kids to play with right outside our door and other families to get together with easily and on an impromptu basis. Plus instant support when life goes awry and instant playmates for the kids when there is too little time to have a formal playdate but enough time to play. I can see living on a big acreage when kids are older but when they are little, nothing beats a neighborhood crawling with kids the same age. I am thankful that when we moved we found a pocket neighborhood full of elementary aged kids. I can just send my boys outside and away they go to invent some new game or shoot hoops, play soccer, baseball, etc. You would have to work a lot harder for that if you live on a big lot with less kids his age. JMO.

On the school issue, I know nothing about Lake Travis Elem but I do know when I lived in CCR that Clayton did not get an exemplary rating it's first year. Missed it by a hair. I think they may have it now. Regardless, it's still a great school. If the general area trends to be strong in schools, it is probably just fine. Plus you have got a ways to go...a lot can happen in 4-5 years so general planning is helpful, specific, not so much right now...though I understand your need to do so completely!

[txgolfer130]

Out of the three that you have mentioned Stiener is the #1 for you for several reasons:
1. Location, Location, Location
2. Extremely (almost to a fault) family friendly
3. Sidewalks both sides, semi-wide streets, parks, events, etc.
4. Plenty of children that will be roughly the same age as yours
5. The C.C. their is an AWESOME Club, and really takes care of their members, however it is on the VERY pricey side.
6. The club private, as well as access to the Golf Club.
7. Schools are the best in the area. (LT is good, no doubt, but not up to the caliber of Steiner)

I would also agree that Circle C is an exact fit of Steiner but South obviously, but the schools are just a notch, ever so slightly under Steiner. The Club is very nice, but not private (anyone can join), but the people are very, very, very friendly and there will be a huge amount of kids and amenities (city wise) a little more accessible from Circle C.

[FromCalitoSteinerRanch]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth K

Hello,... The home we are looking at a home in Steiner Ranch which is considerably smaller than our Lakewind home - close to 4000 sq ft, on a small lot, .25 acre that is priced close to our Lakewind home (Lakewind home is almost 5000 sq ft and obviously on a huge lot).

Please share your thoughts and comments on our tough decision? Thanks so much!

With over 200 houses for sale in Steiner, I suspect there is more than one you could fall in like or love with. In our neighborhood, we are .25 acre lots, and there are also three pool homes for sale, starting at $525K, down to $469K. There are also some good deals in the gated section near the UT Golf Course.

[texastrigirl]

Personally we chose Circle C over Steiner because of better proximity to downtown and the airport...plus the houses were a bit lower in cost. You should definitely check out both and see which location suits you best. Why doesn't anyone ever mention Avery Ranch? Isn't that a nice area up in Cedar Park?

[texastrigirl]

When you say the schools in CCR are just a notch under Steiner, are you speaking of middle and high school level? Just curious because Kiker has got to be one of the best schools in AISD and Clayton and Mills right there too. I don't know much about schools beyond that level and was just curious more than anything.

[Elizabeth K]

Originally Posted by Jennibc

You think .25 acre is a small lot? We would be thrilled to find a house on a lot that big down here in SW Austin. Cannot really comment or offer advice on your predicament, sorry.

I WISH that we could live in SW Austin, but, the focus is on our child and I didn't like the stats I pulled from Central Austin as far as crimes, especially those against children on FamilyWatchdog.com. This whole part of town is just so safe, but, not nearly as 'colorful' as areas close to the city. I miss city living sometimes! You can also get much more for the $$ out here.

[Elizabeth K]

Originally Posted by txgolfer130

Out of the three that you have mentioned Stiener is the #1 for you for several reasons:
1. Location, Location, Location
2. Extremely (almost to a fault) family friendly
3. Sidewalks both sides, semi-wide streets, parks, events, etc.
4. Plenty of children that will be roughly the same age as yours
5. The C.C. their is an AWESOME Club, and really takes care of their members, however it is on the VERY pricey side.
6. The club private, as well as access to the Golf Club.
7. Schools are the best in the area. (LT is good, no doubt, but not up to the caliber of Steiner)

I would also agree that Circle C is an exact fit of Steiner but South obviously, but the schools are just a notch, ever so slightly under Steiner. The Club is very nice, but not private (anyone can join), but the people are very, very, very friendly and there will be a huge amount of kids and amenities (city wise) a little more accessible from Circle C.

Do you really think that the Steiner location is better than the Lakeway location? I guess we would be closer to an indoor mall - being Lakeline and that is kindof important with a little one, but, there is the Hill Country Galleria out here now and easy access to downtown on Bee Caves, or, SW Parkway.

We can't even consider Circle C because it's too far from my husband's business.

Do you live in Steiner? How are the community pools? Someone told me that they have very limited hours that they are open to the residents?

Do you know if there are any scenic, wooded, jogging trails that I can push our baby in his stroller on?

Lakeway also has that great City Park on the lake with a dog park, a little tykes and a big kids play area. - It's really a tough call!

I KNOW that Steiner is filled with children - Lakeway has a real mix so I guess it's a hit or miss as to whether or not neighbors with have playmates!

please wb when you get a chance and ANY additional info that anyone can provide - please do.

We prefer 'the look' of Lakeway to Steiner, but, we want the best fit for our family and lifestyle ofcourse...

[txgolfer130]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth K

Do you really think that the Steiner location is better than the Lakeway location? I guess we would be closer to an indoor mall - being Lakeline and that is kindof important with a little one, but, there is the Hill Country Galleria out here now and easy access to downtown on Bee Caves, or, SW Parkway.

We can't even consider Circle C because it's too far from my husband's business.

Do you live in Steiner? How are the community pools? Someone told me that they have very limited hours that they are open to the residents?

Do you know if there are any scenic, wooded, jogging trails that I can push our baby in his stroller on?

Lakeway also has that great City Park on the lake with a dog park, a little tykes and a big kids play area. - It's really a tough call!

I KNOW that Steiner is filled with children - Lakeway has a real mix so I guess it's a hit or miss as to whether or not neighbors with have playmates!

please wb when you get a chance and ANY additional info that anyone can provide - please do.

We prefer 'the look' of Lakeway to Steiner, but, we want the best fit for our family and lifestyle ofcourse...

Lakeway is a very, very nice area. There are some great homes and some great opportunities there. However, I do truly believe that for a family 'inclusive' environment Steiner is a better match.

I don't live in Steiner, I had a home being built but had to move to Dallas area 6 months ago. I lived in the Spanish Oaks area, just down the road off of 71. However, I do have several close friends that live in Steiner still and if I ever get an opportunity to move back it will be in either the Steiner/Spanish Oaks/Circle C area.

The pool hours are 8am-10pm. I don't know who gave you that impression, but they have always been open every time I was there. There are the obvious maintenance periods, and there are always events going on there which can be a pain sometimes, but the access hours are 8am-10pm.

There are few trails closer to the lake, at the bottom of the development, and there are miles of trails combined into the property. Wooded...well, I wouldn't exactly say it's wooded, but there are plenty of trees to give you that scenic feel.

City Park is AWESOME! When you can get in there, and find a place. Good luck in the late spring/early summer.

It sounds as if you've set your mind to Lakeway, and that's not a bad choice at all. It's a great area and if you choose there I'm sure you'll be happy. Before choosing either area, I would also examine the traffic accident rates on both Hwy-71 & 2222. Both have dangerous aspects, just so that you have the whole picture.